State Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff told the Senate Ag and Rural Affairs and Game and Fisheries committees today that Pennsylvania is prepared to deal with a disease plaguing deer and elk-like animals in New York and West Virginia.

In September, to ensure Pennsylvania's readiness for Chronic Wasting Disease, Governor Edward G. Rendell approved a state CWD Response Plan to prevent the spread of the disease and attempt to control it in the event it
moves into Pennsylvania.  The Governor also reconvened the Interagency CWD Executive Committee, comprised of representatives from state and federal agencies, to ensure implementation of the State CWD Response Plan.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a progressive, fatal disease that affects the nervous system of the animals, including mule deer, elk and black- and white-tailed deer.  Clinical signs include poor posture, lowered head and ears, uncoordinated movement, rough-hair coat, weight loss, increased thirst, excessive drooling and, ultimately, death.  There is no known treatment, vaccine or live animal test for detecting the disease among the animal
population.

This disease has never been found in Pennsylvania and poses no known threat to humans.

"Pennsylvania is well prepared to respond to Chronic Wasting Disease if it is found in the state," said Wolff.  "The commonwealth leads the nation in CWD testing and surveillance.  And, with aggressive new procedures in place and stakeholder involvement, we are prepared to protect Pennsylvania's citizens, hunters and deer and elk farmers from CWD."